Bio: Berg, Balthasar (History - 1858)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: BERG HUMMAL LAU

----Source: 1891 Bio. Hist. Of Clark Jackson Co., Wis., pg. 242

BALTHASAR BERG, a prominent farmer of Jackson County, was born in Springfield Township, this county, May 6, 1858, the son of Balthasar Berg, a native of Heidelberg, Germany, born March 13, 1828. He came to this country in 1849, locating in New York, where he remained until 1852, when he moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, and in 1853 came to Jackson County, same State, and located in Curran Township, where he died at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a blacksmith by trade. His father, Philip Berg, was born in Germany, where he spent his entire life. He was a veterinary surgeon by profession, and was a member of the German Catholic Church. Our subject's mother, Mary (Hummal) Berg, was born in Switzerland, June 11, 1826, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lau) Hummal, both natives of Switzerland. The mother died in that country at the age of forty-two years, and after her death the father came to this country, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he died at the age of fifty years. He was a tailor by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Berg had two children: Philip and Balthasar.

Our subject was reared on a farm in Jackson County, and completed his education in the high school of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He is now giving his entire attention to farming, being the owner of 340 acres of land, most of which is in section 26, Curran Township, where he now lives. In addition to this he is engaged in the stock business. Politically he is a Democrat. He was married March 17, 1886, to Sarah J. Duxbury, natives of England. The parents came to this country about 1850, locating in the State of New Jersey. About the 1853 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and located in Hixton Township, where they now live. The father is a farmer by occupation, and politically a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have had three chhildren, viz: William A., born January 26, 1887 the next died in infancy and Myrtle M., born July 29, 1890.